Make your home away from home home
Ali Schwabe | Fulcrum Staff
So you’ve moved into residence. If blank beige walls and questionable carpet stains aren’t your thing, read on. The Fulcrum has the lowdown on how to decorate your dorm and transform it into home sweet home.
Compete against students from Carleton University, Algonquin College, and La Cité collégiale to win prizes like Ikea products and gift cards.
Affordable furniture
Give thanks to the Swedes, for they have designed cheap furniture that looks good and fits into tiny apartments and res rooms. That’s right, we’re talking about Ikea, where you can load up on a desk, chair, rug, picture frames, wine glasses, and meatballs for under $50. Don’t miss out on the Student Madness event on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 8:30 p.m. when buses will leave from Thompson Residence and take you straight to Ikea. For one night only, you’ll find exclusive deals just for students. Compete against students from Carleton University, Algonquin College, and La Cité collégiale to win prizes like Ikea products and gift cards. From furniture-building competitions to the ever-popular “Sound Like Sven” contests, you’ll have a blast while loading up on anything and everything you need to make your place pop. Return trips are at 9:30, 10, 10:30, 11, 11:30 p.m., and 12:15 a.m.
Posters, posters, posters
Save your money! Although you’ll be tempted to spend all your cash at Ikea, keep some tucked away for late September when an epic poster sale comes to the University of Ottawa! For three days, the university centre turns into a poster bazaar. Meander through the aisles and peruse the hundreds of posters—you’ll find everything including naked ladies and Disney princesses, artistic prints and motivational quotes. It’s likely that the wall art you choose will be up in your room for a long time, so pick something you won’t get sick of.
Functionality is key
Make sure your room is not only comfortable, but also useful. Designate your desk for schoolwork, your bed as your place to sleep and watch TV, and the common room kitchen or the cafeteria as the place you eat meals—and then keep them separate! Studies have shown studying in the same place improves your retention, and keeping your bed as a no-schoolwork, no-eating zone will help you fall asleep faster!
Comforts from home
One of the easiest ways to make your room comfortable is to personalize it with reminders of home. Plenty of pillows and a comfortable throw blanket will turn your bed into a napping oasis. A couple of shaggy rugs can save your bare feet from the questionable carpets. Photographs of friends and family are sure to make you smile. Don’t forget to put up some pictures of your new friends too! Little things like using the same Febreze spray and laundry detergent as you did back home will make your new place feel more familiar. You want your room to be comfy, cozy, and a place you look forward to going at the end of the day.
